#672: Examining AI as Design Partner in Creative Computing: Digital Dialogue to Embodied Expression

This study investigates how AI-supported creative computing fosters computational thinking (CT) and creativity among rural middle school students. Thirteen students (ages 12-14) participated in a six-session Creative Computing Workshop using ArtAlgo, a p5.js-based platform with Aiko, a conversational AI, alongside Makey Makey physical computing kits. Analyses revealed significant learning gains and three themes: (1) Exploring Color as a Computational Medium, progressing from syntax verification ("show me #b3c8ff") to aesthetic expression (generating color palettes); (2) Iterative Remixing and Creative Debugging, where students showed two distinct engagement patterns: extended AI dialogue versus minimal engagement; and (3) Translating Digital Art into Embodied Interaction, bridging computational abstractions with tangible experiences. Aiko functioned as a dialogic partner rather than tutor, maintaining student agency. Findings demonstrate how conversational AI can scaffold technical skills and creative expression when designed as an optional dialogue resource, suggesting possibilities for expanding computational participation in under-resourced contexts.